Orange to trigger an iPad price war

I'm the editor of City A.M's Life&Style section. We cover restaurants, film, theatre, the arts, technology, travel and motoring. I'm also the editor of our regular glossy magazines Bespoke (style, arts and culture) and Living (design, architecture and property). When I'm not busy editing I write about restaurants, theatre and the arts. I was once named Young Journalist of the Year.

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Steve Dinneen

THE pricing model for Apple’s all conquering iPad could undergo a dramatic shift, with UK carrier Orange set to offer heavily discounted units to users willing to sign lengthy contracts, City A.M. has learned.

It is understood the firm will offer the iPad for around £200 – far below the starting price of £529 for the 3G version – for users signing up to an 18 or 24-month data contract.

The discounted iPads are expected to hit Everything Everywhere – the firm formed by the merger between Orange and T-Mobile – stores in time for Christmas. A spokesman declined to comment last night.

The new pricing strategy, which positions the iPad closer to the iPhone than Apple’s range of laptops, could open up a discount war between UK carriers.